Flow control valve



Aug. 26,1952 A. u. BRYANT 2,608,209

FLOW CONTROL VALVE I Filed April 15, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 F'IETI. ZEI

\NVENTOR- Ausf/n U. Bryan? BY ATTORN EY Aug. 26, 1952 A. u. BRYANT 2,603,209

FLOW CONTROL VALVE Filed April 15, 1947 Z SHEETSSHEET 2 I N V EN TOR. fluSf/n L/. Brya I /6 14 TTORNE Y Patented Aug. 26, 1952 UNITED sr r Es PATENT" orr cs I Q 3 Claims. (or. 137-501) V l This invention relates'generally'to devices for automatically controlling therate of, flow of various liquids such as oil, water or the like. v

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of the above character which is capable of maintaining a predetermined rate of fiow irrespective of any pressure changes which may occur eitherin the line ahead of the device, or in the line to which the liquid isbeing delivered. 7 -A furtherobject'of the invention is to provide a device of the above character which is relatively compact, and which incorporates both automatic control and manual adjustment features.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character having novel automatic means to maintain a predetermined and fixed pressure differential across-a manually adjustable flow control orifice. lnthis connection the invention is characterized by use of a novel type of balanced valve operated by a dia-- phragm or like fluid pressure actuated member. Additional objects of the inventionwill appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment has been set iorthin detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing: I

Figure 1 is a sideelevational view in section illustrating a device incorporating the present invention,

Figure 2 is mean,nmaatmgaa paw thedevice which connects with .a fluid pressure operated diaphragm, and which cooperateswith a stationary valve seat.

Figure 3 is a detail. in section illustrating ,a

fitting on the vinlet side voi the devicelwhich i forms a mounting for the valve seat.

Figure 4 is a view similar-to. Figure/1, but showing a modification of the invention:

Figure 5 is a cross sectionaldetailtaken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4. v r

Figure 6 is a sectional detail showing the valve member 96 incorporated in the now control valve of Figure 4. I

s Figure 7 is a detail in section on an' enlarged scale showing the manually operated flow control member H3 incorporated in the device'of Figure 4. i r i There are many industrial applications where it is desired to provide a'device capable of automatically maintaining apredetermined and'fix'ed pressure difierentialacross a fiowcontrol orifice. By the use of such a device it is possible to auto matically'maintain a predetermined rateof flow of a liquid, irrespective of pressure changes which may occur in the inlet and outletpipe connec tions. One applicationin particular which can be mentioned is use in connection with hydraulic systems for pumping oil wells. One such system'makes use of a power pumping unit con nected to a hydraulic manifold, which in turn has individual connections to a plurality of well pumping units. If it is attempted to control the, distribution of liquid to the separate well pumpingunits by ordinary valves or adjustable orifices, operation of the system is made unreliable and erratic due to factors causing pressure variations in the system, such as waxing of the lines, variable'bottom holev pressures," changing fluid heads or heading of the well, etc. Application of an automatic flow control "device of'th'e character to be presently described greatly improves "the operation of such hydraulic systems, and makes it possible to automaticallycompensate for such pressure variables and thus provide for operation over long periods oftiine without continual manual supervision.

The present invention makes use of two serially connected orifices, one of which is adjusted manually, and the other operating automatically. The several parts are combined to form a compact unitary apparatus, which can be readily installed in the hydraulic piping leading to the individual producing wells.

The device as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawing consists generally of a body H], which is'preferably formed in a number of parts,

including the top dome or bonnet Illa, the main body part lilb, and the fittings H10 and lfld. The inlet and outlet passages 'H and I2 in iittings 10c, [Dd are adaptedvfor attachment'with associated piping.

Fitting me is formed to provide a flow control orifice l3, within which is the characterizedor tapered flow control plug M. This plug is at,- tached to one end of an operating stem It, which extends to the exterior of the body through the bonnet ll. Suitable sealing. or. packing means [8 serves to seal around stem [6, and is retained by the threaded gland follower l9. The exterior end of the bonnet H is interiorly threaded for engagement with the threaded member 2i carried by the hand wheel22. Collar 23 and nut 45 on the outer end of the stem I5 serve to attach the latter to the'hand wheel. A suitable cylindrical shaped'sh-roud' fifi is shown 'carried by the handwheel-and surrounds the exterior end of the bonnet in order to serve as an indicator and to protect the'threaded engagement described? above. it will be evident that turning the hand wheel 22 serves to' adjust 3 the positioning of tapered plug l4, and in general serves to adjust the effective cross sectional flow area of orifice I3. Fitting I80 is sealed with respect to the body by suitable means such as the resilient O ring [41.

The inner end of the body fitting it'd serves to carry the annular seat ring 48. That portion of the body fitting llJd surrounding the ring 48 is sealed with respect to the body bore 49 by suitable means such as the resilient O ring 5|. Also the fitting 18d is ported and relieved to provide a direct flow connection between the inlet side of the seat ring 49 (the under side as illustrated), and the inlet passage ll. Thus ports 52 immediately underlie the seat 48, and connect with the annular passage 53, which in turn connects with the inlet passage ll through the radial extending ports 54. An additional sealing means such as the resilient O ring 56 serves to seal between the body fitting lfld and the adjacent 'end portion of the body, and a simple threaded connection 51 between the parts facilitates removal of the fitting I003, together with the seat ring 48.

Adjacent the seat ring 48 and on the inflow side of the same the body fitting lfld is formed to provide the cylindrical shaped bore 58 which serves to accommodate the cylindrical piston-like valve member 59. This valve member may be provided with a suitable facing 6| of wear resisting metal, such as a hard alloy. The exterior diameter of the piston-like valve member 59 is only slightly less than the throat diameter of the valve seat 48. v k

The piston-like valve member 59 is operated by use of a fluid operated member such as the flexible diaphragm 82. The peripheral edge portion of this diaphragm is clamped between the annular shoulders 53, 64, formed respectively upon the body parts I0?) and Illa. The upper side of the diaphragm is engaged by the diaphragm plate 56, and attached to the diaphragm and to the plate 55 there is a member 51 which carries the valve member 59. The upper end of member .81 is provided with suitable means such as a threaded stud 88 which extends through the center of the diaphragm and the diaphragm plate and is engaged by nut 59 to clamp the parts together. The connecting member 81 is provided with an openmg ll extending transversely through the same, 1 and which serves to accommodate the stem |6..

spring I2 which has its one end seated upon the diaphragm plate 86, and its other end engaging the thrust washer 73. A screw Histhreaded within the adjacent portion of the body and has its inner end seated upon the thrust member I3. Screw 14 is sealed with respect to the body by suitable means such as the resilient O ring 16. A removable closure cap 19 can be provided to enable application of a screw driver or like tool to the screw 14, when it is desired to adjust the same. p

The opposite sides of the flexible diaphragm 62 present substantially equal fluid pressure areas to which fluid pressures from the opposite sides of the orifice [3 are applied. Thus the space 18 4 stantially balanced, a duct 86 is provided in member 51 (see Figure 2) and which extends from opening H to the lower end face of valve member 59.

Operation of the device described above is as follows: Assuming that it is used in a hydraulic pumping system of the type previously described, the inlet passage l l is connected by piping to the central pumping unit, and the outlet passage I2 connects to piping leading down into an oil producing well. The position of the tapered plug I4 is adjusted manually in order to adjust the flow rate to the desired value, for a given setting of the loading spring 12. The setting of the loading spring 12 adjusts the pressure differential to be maintained across the orifice I3. In a typical instance this may be 50 p. s. i. as set by the factory. Assuming that a flow of liquid through the device is established, the static pressures upon opposite sides of the orifice l3 are transmitted to the opposite sides of the diaphragm 62, whereby the valve member 59 is positioned automatically to control the flow through the seat ring 48 in such a manner as to maintain the pressure differential across orifice l3 substantially constant. Automatic positioning of the valve member 59 automatically compensates for variations in the pressure applied from the central pumping unit to passage 1 I or variations in pressure on the outflow side of the device due to such factors as waxing, changing well pressures; varying fluid heads or heading of the well. Thus the flow rate to the well through the orifice I3 is maintained substantially constant, with the result that the hydraulically operated pump individually installed in each well will be properly operated at all times, independently of operation of other wells connected to the same central pumping unit. The forces acting on diaphragm 52 are independent of variations in fluid pressure applied to the inlet passage I l. in this connection it'will be noted that the duct connects the space 88 below the valve member 59 with the opening H. Thus the pressure within the body, that is in the space between seat ring 44 and the orifice i3, is applied to both the underside of the diaphragm 62 and the lower end of the valve member 59. With this arrangement the effective fluid pressure area of the diaphragm 62 which is subjected to the pressure on the inflow side of orifice l3,is formed of the exposed lower face of the. diaphragm, the effective exposed area of the member which connects this diaphragm with the valve member 59, and the lower end face of the valve member 59. This over-all effective fluid pressure area is equal to the area of the diaphragm which is exposed to the pressure on the downstream or outflow side of the orifice l3;

The construction is such that the variousjparts of the device can be readily removed forrepai'r or replacement. Thus stationary seat ring 48 and ,asociated parts can be withdrawnsimply by removing the body fitting Md. The diaphragm, valve member 59, and connecting member 81 can be removed with associated parts by detaching body part Md. and by removing the stem IS in the manner previously described.

Figures 4 to '7 inclusive illustrate another and preferred'embodiment of the invention. In this instance the diaphragm is attached to the upper end of member 9|, which has an opening92 to accommodate the rod IS. A lower member 93 is attached to the member 9|, and is provided with a conical valve surface 940i a' suitable hard alloy bonded to the member 93 andcooperatin'g'with the valve seat ring 95. The lower portion of 5,, member 93.frms a plunger or piston which slidably fits within the cylinder sleeve 91 and which is sealed by suitable means such as the resilient 0 ring 95.

In order to conveniently assemble the parts associated with the valve means just described, the seat ring 96 is carried by a removab1e mounting ring 98, which in turn is sealed by the resilient O ring 99, and is normally held against the annular shoulder ill! of the body. Mounting ring 98 is held in place by the sleeve I02, which in turn is retained by the threaded fitting I63. Cylinder 91 is an integral part of sleeve I92 and is provided with circumferentially spaced ports HM. .A compression spring I06 is disposed within thecylinder 91, and serves to urge the movablevalve member toward closed position. A duct Hl'l, corresponding to the duct 86 of Figure l, connects the opening 92 with the space within the cylinder 9?.

Body fitting ill corresponds to the part lfic of Figure 1, and is provided with a valve seat I i2 through which the valve member H3 extends. The outer periphery of valve member i 13 is cylindrical and in the form of a tube having V-shaped flow slots H4, H6 on its opposite sides. The arrangement just described forms in effect a characterized valve member which is more convenient and effective than the corresponding valve arrangement of Figure 1.

In order to facilitate making adjustments of the device a small manually operated valve l H is mounted upon the upper body part a, and can be manipulated by the operator for the purpose of venting gas from the space above the diaphragm 62.

The embodiment of Figures 4 to 7 inclusive operates in substantially the same manner as the first embodiment described in that the forces acting on diaphragm 62 are independent of variations in fluid pressure applied to the inlet passage II. In this connection it will be noted that the duct it! connects the space below member 93 and within the cylinder 9'! with the opening 92. Thus the pressure within the body is applied to both the underside of the diaphragm 62 and the lower end of the member $33. With this arrangement the effective fluid pressure area of the diaphragm 62 which is subjected, to the pressure on the infiow side of the valve seat H2 is formed of the exposed lower face of the diaphragm 62, the ef-' fective exposed area of the member 91 which connects the diaphragm with the valve member 93, and the lower end face of the valve member 93. This over-all efiective fluid pressure area is equal to the area of the diaphragm which is exposed to the pressure on the downstream or outflow side of the valve seat H2. It is possible in this embodiment for the valve to be shut off tight since the member 93 is provided with a conical hard alloy valve surface 94 cooperating with a valve seat ring 95. This is not possible with the slide valve of Figure 1 since, as stated, the exterior diameter of member 59 is less than the throat diameter of the valve seat 43.

I claim:

1. In a fluid flow control valve, a body provided with inlet and outlet openings, the body being formed to provide a flow control orifice interposed between said passages, manually operated means for adjusting the effective cross sectional area of said orifice, a movable fluid pressure operated member carried by the body and providing fluid pressure areas on opposite sides of the same, means serving to apply pressure from the inlet side of-the orifice to one of said areas, means,

for applying a fluid pressure from the outlet side of saidori'fice to the other one of said areas, a stationary valve seat carried by the body, the throat orifice of said seat being interposed between the inlet side of said flow orifice and the inlet side of the body, a valve member associated with said seat on the inflow side of the same, .said valve member presenting a fluid pressure area to the inlet side of the orifice, a piston carried by the valve member, the body providing a cylinder on the inlet side of said seat and within which said, piston operates, there being aiclosed space formed :within the cylinder at the end of said piston remote from said seat, said last named end of, the piston presenting a fluid pressureareawhich is substantiallyv equal to, said fluid pressure area presented by the valve member, means forming a connection between said valve member and said fluid pressure operated member, and a duct serving to transmit fluid pressure from the space between said flow orifice and said seat to the closed space within said cylinder.

2. In a flow control valve, 2. body provided with inlet and outlet openings, means forming a flow control orifice interposed between said openings, a longitudinally movable stem extending into the body, a member mounted upon the inner end of said stem and extending into said orifice, whereby upon manual adjustment of said stem the efiective cross-sectional area of the orifice is adjusted, a movable fluid pressure operated diaphragm on one side of the stem, that side of the diaphragm which faces the stem being exposed to fluid pressure on the inlet side of the control orifice, a stationary valve seat carried by the body on that side of the stem diametrically opposite to the fluid pressure operated diaphragm and having its throat orifice interposed between the inlet side of said control orifice and the inlet passage of the body, means forming a cylinder on the inlet side of said seat, a piston fitted within said cylinder and movable in opposite directions toward and away from said seat on the inlet side of the latter, there being a closed space formed Within the cylinder at the end of said piston remote from said seat, a valve member attached to the piston and cooperating with said seat, said valve mem ber presenting an effective fluid pressure area to the inlet side of the control orifice which is substantially equal to the fluid pressure area presented by that end of the piston which is remote from the valve seat, a member rigidly connecting said valve member to said diaphragm, said last named member being provided with an opening extending transversely through the same, said stem being disposed to extend through said opening, means for applying fluid pressure from the outlet side of said orifice to one side of said diaphragm, and means for applying fluid pressure from the outlet side of said orifice to the other side of said diaphragm and a duct extendin through said last named connecting member and also through said valve member and said piston and serving to connect said opening to the space within said cylinder.

3. In a flow control valve, a body provided with inlet and outlet openings adapted to be connected with associated piping, a flow control orifice interposed between said passages, an orifice control member, an operating stem movably extending into the body and having its inner end attached to said last named member, manual means for adjusting said stem to thereby adjust the effective cross sectional flow area of said orifice, a

1" movable fluid pressure operated member car-' ried by the body on one side of the stem and providing fluid pressure areas on opposite sides of the same, means serving to apply fluid pressure from the inlet side of said orifice to one side of said fluid. pressure member, means for applying fluid pressure from the outlet side of said orifice to the other side of said fluid pressure member, a valve seat carried by the-body on that side of the stem: diametrically opposite to the fluid pressure operated member having a valve throat orifice communicatingbetween the inlet side of said flow orifice and the inlet passage of the body, a valve member movable inopposite directions relative to said seat, and a member serving to connect said last named valve member to said fluid: pressure operated member, said connecting member having an opening to accommodate said Number Name Date 1,215,669 Liese Feb; 13, 1917 1,490,654 Wylie Apr. 15, 1924 1,640,842 Loomis Aug. 30, 1927 1,923,595 Temple Aug. 22, 1933 1,982,711 Vickers Dec. 14, 1934 2,306,379 C'onradson Dec. 29, 1942 2,445,544 Trautman July 20, 1948 

